The Father’s house is our delight!

building, renovating, rebuilding: although you don’t necessarily need a roof over your head to have faith, it is still a good reason to celebrate when your congregation gets to move into a church building of its own. following is a look at congregations on the build around the globe. photo: dm fa. ney. photo: dm fa. ney. photo: dm fa. ney. photo: nac ghana. photo: nac ghana. photo: ena rdc sud-est. photo: ena rdc sud-est. photo: ena rdc sud-est. photo: ena rdc sud-est. photo: ina brasil. photo: ina brasil. photo: ina brasil. photo: ina argentina. photo: ina argentina. photo: ina argentina. photo: nak süddeutschland. photo: nak süddeutschland. photo: nak süddeutschland. photo: nak süddeutschland. the foundation stone has been laid: it was on 14 january 2024 that the foundation stone for the new church building of the congregation of barnim, germany was laid. and the ensuing celebration was not only attended by the members of the congregation and their district rector, but also the head of the mayor’s office, representatives from other denominations, employees of the construction companies and architectural firms involved, as well as a number of interested neighbours. in his opening address, district rector thomas härm recalled that jesus is the firm foundation upon which the believers stand, and expressed the wish that the congregation might also comprise such a firm foundation and be open for all, such that all would feel welcome. for years, the believers of the congregation of old ntronang, ghana had gathered in the open air for their divine services. but ever since 26 may 2024 they have finally been able to celebrate divine services under a roof of their own! apostle isaac opoku mensah opened and dedicated the long-awaited church building in a festive ceremony. he urged the believers to take good care of the building and ensure that it is put to good use. one hundred percent new apostolic craftsmanship:construction workers in goma, democratic republic of congo managed to renovate a church building in only 30 days. district apostle tshitshi tshisekedi had announced the renovations and approved the financing in a divine service at the start of the year. the building contractor commissioned with the project had only new apostolic employees, who were only too happy to complete the renovations to the church in a short time. the fifth most populous state in brazil is presently home to eleven new apostolic congregations. and as of 20 april 2024, one of them has been given a new church building. district apostle enrique minio came to araçoiaba on that saturday in order to celebrate the dedication of the building with the congregation. a bible passage from revelation 1: 17–18a served as the basis for the divine service: “do not be afraid; i am the first and the last. i am he who lives.” a further highlight for the congregation was that a soul was sealed in the same divine service. on 28 april 1974,district apostle aureliano martón dedicated the church in berisso, some 57 kilometres from buenos aires, argentina. and it was precisely 50 years later that apostle pedro ramis made a visit to the congregation and its members to celebrate the golden anniversary of the church building with them. the bible passage that the apostle chose as the basis of the divine service was taken from psalm 92: 5: “o lord, how great are your works! your thoughts are very deep.” the apostle pointed out that god had done great works upon the church and the congregation over the past 50 years. he went on to advise the congregation to reflect upon these works and always remain faithful to god. to maintain a church building requires a great deal of work and volunteer commitment. for example, the grounds surrounding the church also need to be maintained regularly. in kirchheim, germany, some of the members of the congregation met up on 22 june 2024 and, equipped with rakes and hedge trimmers, trimmed bushes and trees, removed dead branches, and cleaned up the flowerbeds. their endeavours not only made the church shine again, but also strengthened the members’ community spirit.